POD: In 1808, the only child of King Christian VIII of Denmark is born as a girl, rather than a boy.
OTL Frederick VII of Denmark is born female, as Princess Sophia Caroline (1808-65). She marries Oscar I of Sweden (1799-1859) in 1825, and gives birth to a male child – Prince Charles - around 1827.
Upon the death of King Christian VIII (1786-1848), the throne of Denmark passes to his brother, who becomes TTL King Frederick VII (1792-1863). He is pressured into making a number of major reforms in the immediate aftermath of the 1848 revolutions. A bicameral national assembly – consisting of Landsting and Folketing - is established, with universal male suffrage for the Folketing. The absolute monarchy was transformed into a constitutional monarchy, policy-making lying with the cabinet now, headed by the Prime Minister.
Adam Wilhelm Moltke (1785-1864) is the first Prime Minister of Denmark, holding the position from 1848 to 1853.
First War of Schleswig (1848-50) occurs more or less as per OTL, although slightly greater Swedish support ensures a more favorable outcome for Denmark. In the immediate aftermath, Frederick VII and Adam Moltke initiate a series of moves intended to pursue greater cultural integration between Schleswig, Holstein, and Denmark (similar in form to Russification).
In 1856, Denmark adopts an electoral system of Proportional Representation in a move which in the following decades proves increasingly unpopular, primarily as a result of its inability to return cohesive governments.
Carl Christian Hall (1812-88) – prime minister from 1857 to 1859 – holds a plebiscite in an attempt to unify Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein in a unitary state with a common constitution. With strong opposition from pro-German nationalists, the move is passed by a substantial majority in Schleswig, but defeated in Holstein. Caught in political deadlock, Hall resigns. His successor, Magnus Johansen (1810-67) – prime minister from 1859 to 1863 – reaches a compromise on the issue through a strengthening and integration of the Consultative Assemblies.
After Christian VIII and Oscar I manage to make the necessary alterations to the laws of succession, the stage is set for Charles Christian Frederick Bernadotte (1827-89) to inherit the throne of Denmark upon the death of his great-uncle Frederick VII in 1863, in addition to the throne of Sweden-Norway he held since his father’s death in 1859.
King Charles XV of Sweden, Karl IV of Norway, and Christian IX, King of Denmark and Grand Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, is in his early to mid thirties upon his ascension to the various thrones.
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What happens next?
